Racing game apparatus



Jan. 8, 1957 R. c. wlLsoN RACING GAME APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet l ROBERT C. WILSON Agent:

Jan.- 8, 1957 R. c. wlLsoN RAclNG GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 5, 1954 INVENTOR. ROBERT C. WILSON Agents RACING GAME APPARATUSRobert C. Wilson, Chula Vista, Calif.

Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,956

12 Claims. (Cl. 273-86) The present invention relates generally toamusement devices and more particularly to a game apparatus.

The primary object of this invention is to provide for indoorentertainment of harmless yet exciting nature and to that end to providea game apparatus for several players in which individual sets of playingpieces are erected in succession along lines on a game board and aretoppled, the initiation of the toppling being simultanecus, the iirstset of pieces to be completely toppled denoting the winner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus of thetype mentioned which in use automatically and clearly indicates thewinner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus in whichthe sets of playing pieces are erected in prearranged marked locationson the game board.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus in whichthe game board is laid out to provide each individual set of playingpieces with several ditferent arrangements according to choice.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus in whichcertain of the playing pieces are unbalanced by concealed Weights tointroduce an element of chance in the speed of toppling the pieces.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a game apparatuswhich may be played in the form of a race, the sets of playing piecesbeing toppled simultaneously by a starting device, and the iirst setwhose final playing piece falls across a marked iinish line indicatingthe winner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus of theaforementioned character which is inexpensive and practicable tomanufacture.

With these and other objects deiinitely in View, this invention consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements andportions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification,particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawingswhich form a material part of this disclosure and wherein similarcharacters of reference indicate similar or identical elements andportions throughout the specification and throughout the views of thedrawings, and in which:

Fig. l is a top plan View of the game board showing one set of playingpieces in erected position, indication of coloring being used forillustrative purposes.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2 2of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the start end of of the gameboard showing a portion of one set of playing pieces in toppledposition, coloring being omitted for clarity.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of the finish end of the gameboard showing a portion of one set of playing pieces in toppled positionand a portion of another set in erected position.

-'nited States Patent O Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan viewshowing the position of the final playing pieces at the finish line atthe completion of a game.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the unbalanced playing pieces,the piece being partially cut away to show the concealed weight.

Referring now to the drawings and, first, in particular to Figs. 1 5,the game apparatus includes a game board 10 comprising a baseboard 12and a surface board 14 secured thereto, said game board being suitablyhinged at the center as indicated at 16 for convenience of storage. Thegame board l0 as illustrated has three tracks A, B and C, which areindicated by stripes of contrasting colors such as the green, red andblue shown in Fig. l. These tracks A, B and C have divided portions,generally indi cated by the numeral 24, to provide alternative routes aswill be explained hereafter.

Spaced at intervals along the tracks A, B and C are rectangular sockets26 extending through the thickness of the surface board 14 as shown inFigs. 2 and 3. These sockets 26 receive the rectangular playing piecesor tumblers 2S, the distance between the sockets being less than theheight of said tumblers so that each tumbler,

in falling, strikes the next successive tumbler. At certain selectedpositions among the rectangular sockets 26 are circular sockets 36 whichreceive the cylindrical playing pieces or pillars 32. These pillars 32are of considerably greater height than the tumblers 28, so that thespacing between each socket 3G and the next successive socket 26 may begreater than that between the individual sockets 26. ln certainpositions, however, it will be seen that the sockets 30 are locatedbetween closely spaced sockets 26. ln these instances, the tumbler 26immediately succeeding the pillar 32, it' used, is omitted when settingup the playing pieces, so that the pillar must fall across the vacantsocket 26 in order to strike the nextnearest tumbler 28.

As a further alternative, certain of the sockets on the game board it)are composite sockets 34 which each comprise a rectangular socket suchas 26 and a communicating circular socket such as Sii. Thus the composite sockets 34 may receive either a tumbler 28 or a pillar 32, toincrease the various patterns in which the playing pieces may be set up.

The game board l0 as shown is arranged to represent a race track forsteeplechase type horse racing and may be painted or otherwise decoratedin an attractive manner to show typical or suitable scenery. .in keepingwith the representation of a steeplechase, the pillars 32 are used atpositions in the tracks which are decorated to indicate jumps overhedges, water hazards or the like. The tracks A, B and C are marked in acontrasting manner at these jump positions by broken or dotted portionsindicated generally by the numeral 36. These broken track portions 36extend from each socket 3i?, to indicate the general path of the pillar32 toppling from that socket,

and continue to the next successive socket 26 which will be reached bythe toppled pillar.

socket 38 in which is seated a starting gate 40. This starting gate 4uis constructed to represent a small building or the like and comprises ablock 42 to which is attached a roof portion 44. Mounted on the block 42is a gate in hinged longitudinally at its lower edge on hinge pins 45,so that said gate falls outwardly and downwardly when displaced, asshown dotted in Fig. 2. To displace the gate 445 an actuating rod 50 isslidably mounted in the block 42, said rod having an extended end 52 andresting against the inner surface of said gate when in the raised orclosed position, as shown in Fig. 2. The actuating rod 50 is retained bya stop pin 54 secured `therein and enclosed in a cavity S6 in the block42, so that the axial sliding movement of said actuating rod is limited.

Adjacent the starting gate 40 are starting sockets 58, similar to thesockets 26, from which the tracks A, B and C commence. These startingsockets 58 are in lateral alignment across the game board andequidistant from the starting gate 40, so that tumblers 28 placed insaid starting sockets are struck simultaneously by the pivotallydescending gate 46.

The finish end of the game board 10 is decorated with a suitable finishline 6l) adjacent which are fiag sockets 62 to receive theiinish flags64,66 and 68. The finish fiags 64, 66 and 68 are the final playingpieces of each set and each comprise a base block 70 in which is securedan upright post 72 carrying a banner 74. The outer flag sockets 62 areangularly disposed so that the flags fall across each other as shown inFig. 6, the purpose of which will be later explained.

The principle of a set of adjacent blocks toppling in succession whenthe rst block is toppled is well known, but in the game apparatusdescribed herein, an element of chance has been introduced by providingvarious pre-set patterns in which the blocks or playing pieces may beerected. In addition, different types of playing pieces are used so thatthe actual rate of toppling may vary throughout each set. ln the eventthat players become familiar with the characteristics of the differenttrack arrangements and are able to predetermine and choose the mostfavorable pattern of playing pieces for winning the game, a furtherelement of chance has been introduced. Certain or all of the pillars 32are fitted with concealed weights 76 adjacent one end only, as shown inFig. 7, the weights being embedded in the material of which the pillarsare fabricated. These weights 76 are of sufiicient mass to disturb thebalance of the pillars 32, so that their rate of falling depends on theposition of the weights when erected. In other words, a pillar 32 havingthe weight 76 at the top when erected tends to fall slightly faster thana pillar having the weight at the bottoln. The weights 76, while beingof sufficient mass to unbalance the pillars 32, are too small to bedetected readily by the player erecting the playing pieces. Thus therate of toppling of a particular set of playing pieces is not readilydetermined in advance, with the result that the players are given equalchances to win. 'lhe various sockets are, of course, arranged so thatthc toppling playing pieces are aligned to strike the successive pieces,regardless of the chosen arrangement.

In order to play the game, each player selects one of the tracks A, B orC. The playing pieces are in sets which are colored to match the tracks,thus each player takes the corresponding playing pieces and erects themon the track of his choice in a selected pattern. The tumblers 28 andthe pillars 32 may be erected in any desired pattern as dictated by thelayout of the individual tracks, the divided portion 24 and thealternative use of the tumblers or pillars at certain positionsproviding many different combinations of playing pieces. ln Fig. l, acomplete set of playing pieces is shown erected on track A to illustrateone possible arrangement. When all the playing pieces are erected, thestarting `gate 40 is actuated by depressing the rod 50 with a finger asshown in Fig. 2. The gate 46 `is thus displaced, striking the tumblers28 placed in the starting sockets 58, the remainder of the playingpieces being toppled in succession, as shown on track A in Figs. 4 and5. As the wave of toppling motion reaches the ends of `the tracks, thefiags64, 66 and 65 fall across the Vfinish line y6() in order, the firstag to lfall being underneath the `others as shown in Fig. 6. ln thismanner, `the winner may be readilyfdetermined by examining the relativepositions of the flags, the actual motion of the toppling piecesnormally being too fast for the eye to follow accurately.

The playing pieces may be constructed from various materials such aswood, plastic, or the like according to requirements. It is understoodthat minor variations from the form of the invention disclosed hereinmay be made without departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention, and that the .specification and drawing are to be consideredas merely illustrative rather than limiting. For example, although thegame board 10 is illustrated as having three distinct tracks A, B and C,it should be understood that more or less tracks may be used within thescope of the appended claims. By way of further example, the pillars 32may be non-circular in crosssection. and the sockets 30 and 34 may be ofcorresponding configuration. Many other minor variations from thedisclosed form of the invention may be made.

'Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

I claim:

l. In a game apparatus, a game board having a plurality of individualsets of sockets linearly spaced along said board, a plurality of playingpieces of varying configurations erected in said sockets, each of saidsets including a first socket and a last socket, the first sockets beinggenerally aligned at one end of the board and the last sockets defininga finish line at the other end of the board, said playing piecesincluding first playing pieces in said first sockets and last playingpieces in said last sockets, and means for toppling said first playingpieces simultaneously whereby each playing piece topplcs the nextsuccessive playing piece in each set.

2. In a game apparatus, a game board having a plurality of individualsets of sockets linearly spaced along said board, marked tracksinterconnecting said sockets to define the sets, said tracks havingdivided portions to provide alternative arrangements of each of saidsets, a plurality of playing pieces erected in said sockets, said setshaving first sockets in alignment at one end of said board, and lastsockets in general alignment at the other end of said board, saidplaying pieces including first playing pieces in said first sockets andlast playing pieces in said last sockets, and means for toppling saidfirst playing pieces simultaneously whereby each playing piece topplcsthe lnext successive playing piece in each set.

3. In -a game apparatus, a -game board having a plurality of individualsets of sockets linearly spaced along said board, marked tracksinterconnecting said sockets to define the sets, said tracks havingdivided portions to provide alternative arrangements of each of saidsets, a plurality of playing pieces erected `in said sockets, saidsets'having tirst sockets in alignment at one end of said board, andlast sockets in general alignment at the other end of said board, said'playing pieces including first playing'pieces in said first sockets andlast playing pieces in said last sockets, and a manually operablestarting mechanism adjacent said first sockets for toppling said firstpieces simultaneously, whereby each playing piece topplcs the nextsuccessive playing piece in each set.

4. ln a game apparatus, a game board having thereon a plurality ofmarked tracks, said tracks having divided portions, a plurality ofindividual sets of playing pieces erected in spaced succession alongsaid tracks, said playing pieces including rectangular tumblers, andcylindrical pillars interspaced with said tumblers,certain of saidpillars having one weighted end, each of said sets having a firstplaying piece adjacent a common end of said board, and means fortoppling said first pieces simultaneously whereby each playing piecetopples the next successive playing piece in each set.

5. In a game apparatus, a game board having thereon a plurality ofmarked tracks, said tracks having divided portions, a plurality ofrectangular sockets spaced successvely along said tracks, and circularsockets nterspaced with said rectangular sockets, a plurality ofindividual sets of playing pieces including rectangular tuinblerserected in said rectangular sockets, and cylindrical pillars erected insaid circular sockets, certain of said cylindrical pillars having oneWeighted end, each of said sets having a rst playing piece adjacent acom mon end of said board, and means for toppling said first piecessimultaneously whereby each playing piece topples the next successiveplaying piece in each set.

' 6. ln a game apparatus, a game board having thereon a plurality ofmarked tracks, said tracks having divided portions, a plurality ofrectangular sockets spaced successively along said tracks, circularsockets inter-spaced with certain of said rectangular sockets, andcomposite rectangular and circular `sockets interspaced with certain ofsaid rectangular sockets, a pluralityof individual sets of `playingpieces including rectangular turnbers erected in said rectangularsockets and cylindrical pillars erected in said circular sockets,certain of said cylindrical pillars having one weighted end, each ofsaid sets having a first playing piece Vadjacent a common end of saidboard, and means for toppling said first pieces simultaneously wherebyeach playing piece topples the next successive playing piece in eachset. p n

7. In a game apparatus, a game board having thereon a plurality ofmarked tracks, said tracks having divided portions, a plurality ofrectangular sockets spaced successively along said tracks, circularsockets interspaced with certain of said rectangular sockets, andcomposite rectangular and circular sockets interspaced with certain ofsaid rectangular sockets, a plurality of individual sets of playingpieces including rectangular tumblers erected in said rectangularsockets and cylindrical pillars erected in said circular sockets,certain of said cylindrical vpillars having one weighted end, saidtracks having first sockets in alignment at one end of said board, landlast sockets in general alignment at the other end of said board, iirstplaying pieces in said first sockets, and last playing pieces in saidlast sockets, and a manually operable starting mechanism adjacent saidfirst sockets for toppling said iirst pieces simultaneously, wherebyeach playing piece topples the next successive playing piece in thecorresponding set.

8. Againe apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said startingmechanism includes a block having a hinged flap, and a manually slidableactuating rod in said block positioned to displace said flap againstsaid rst pieces.

9. In a game apparatus, a game board having thereon a plurality ofmarked tracks, said tracks having divided portions, a plurality ofrectangular sockets spaced successively along said tracks, circularsockets interspaced with certain of said rectangular sockets, andcomposite in said circular sockets, certain of said cylindrical pillarshaving one weighted end, said tracks having first sockets in alignmentat one end of said board, andl last sockets in general alignment at theother end of said board, first playing pieces in said first sockets, andflags in said last sockets, a block at the end of said board adjacent tosaid first sockets, a ap pivotally mounted on said block and a manuallyslidable actuating rod in said block positioned to displace said flapagainst said rst pieces.

l0. A game apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said flags eachcomprise a block having an extended upright post therein, and a banneron said post, said last sockets being disposed so that said banners fallwith said posts in overlapping position when said playing pieces aretoppled.

ll. In a gaine apparatus, a game board having a plu- A rality ofindividual sets of sockets linearly spaced along said board, a pluralityof playing pieces erected in said sockets, each of said sockets beingspaced from the preceding sockets slightly less than the erected heightof the preceding playing piece in that socket, each of said setsincluding a first socket and a last socket, the first sockets beinggenerally aligned at one end of the board and the last sockets defininga finish line at the other end of the board, said playing piecesincluding iirst playing pieces in said tirst sockets, and last playingpieces in said last sockets, each last playing piece comprising a postwith a banner element thereon, said last sockets being located closetogether and directionally related to the immediately prior sockets ineach set so that said banners fall with said posts in overlappingposition when said playing pieces are toppled.

l2. In a game apparatus, a game board having a plurality of individualsets of sockets linearly spaced along said board, marked tracks ofcontrasting colors interconnecting said sockets to define the sets, aplurality of playing pieces erected in said sockets, said playing piecesbeing similarly coloredrin sets to match said tracks, each of said setsincluding a rst socket and a last socket, the first sockets beinggenerally aligned at oneend of the board and the last sockets defining afinish line at the other end of the board, said playing pieces includingfirst playing pieces in said iirst sockets and last playing pieces insaid last sockets, and means for toppling said first playing piecessimultaneously whereby each playing piece topples the next successiveplaying piece in each set.

References Cited in the file of this patent Gardner June 18, 1946

